1 TRANSLATION OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND ... - APFA News

vi. The problem of the continued presence of the armed ULFA and NDFB
militant was discussed during the Midterm Review of the 8 th Five Year
Plan with the public representatives of all the 20 Dzongkhags. Our
people across the country are united in their determination to make the
ULFA and NDFB militants leave Bhutan, if possible through peaceful
means and if that does not succeed through military action. To this
extent, the people have expressed their commitment to make any
sacrifice required, including their lives, to protect the security of the
country.
The Home Minister pointed out that with the protection of the Guardian Deities,
the wise and dynamic leadership of His Majesty the King and the love and
dedication of the Bhutanese people for the country, Bhutan had been able to
overcome all major challenges and problems. He expressed his confidence that,
likewise, the problem of the ULFA and NDFB militants would also be resolved,
if possible through dialogue and peaceful means and, if not, through military
action as a last resort, as decided by the National Assembly. In the meanwhile,
it should be observed whether the ULFA will implement the three-point
undertaking given by them, within December this year.
The Home Minister concluded his report by stressing the importance of the
Bhutanese people thinking and acting in total unity like members of one family,
at a time when the country was going through a difficult period. We must seek
the blessings of the Guardian Deities and dedicate ourselves with even more
commitment to support His Majesty and the Royal Government, even at the
cost of our lives, in the sacred task of safeguarding and protecting the security
and well-being of the Tsa-Wa-Sum, he said.
The Trashi Yangtse Chimi submitted that the people were fully aware of and
deeply concerned over the problem of the ULFA-Bodo militants. He said that
there were 300 militia volunteers in Bomdeling and Yangtse Geogs who had
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